The explosive growth in recent mobile app development is the product of continued increase in
consumer demand. Mobile apps have grown to become an integrated part of everyday life because they are so practical and are just as cheap and accessible as an mp3. The aftermath of all the mobile app downloading has simply left other forms of digital entertainment behind. The apple store alone delivers over a billion apps a month and has recently reached approximately 25 billion total. As the graph below illustrates, the download statistics of apps shadow those of both iTunes and iBooks. The emerging demand for apps has undoubtedly affected those of it’s digital counterparts and its growth shows no signs of slowing down.

iTunes songs, despite not being free, have always been popular. In the last couple of years however, the rate of song downloading has leveled off. Coincidentally, the interest in downloading songs has waned at the same time mobile apps experienced a tremendous increase. The transfer of momentum signifies a new way in which we listen to our music. Loading your mp3 device full of songs was once not only essential but also a status symbol amongst our peers. Now, users are free to listen to any song they want and any where they want, thanks to mobile apps such as Spotify and Pandora. These apps are not only convenient, but they save memory space…for more apps!

Despite the new streaming services that apps provide, the music industry has no complaints. In fact, apps have helped pick up extra slack from the dying record stores. Digital performance royalties increased 17 percent just from 2010 to 2011. The RIAA quickly welcomed the new source of revenue saying that, “Access models like subscription services and Internet radio (represented by digital
performance royalties) have continued to grow both in popularity as well as in their revenue contribution to the industry”. The growth of streaming services shows that these apps are not just niche, but are actually the future of music. The choice between apps and songs isn’t necessarily mutually exclusive. But in a tight economy, a dollar will definitely go further in the app store. Apps will help you discover new music, save space on your phone, and you don’t have to micromanage your device next time you’re hosting a party. The stream of music that fits your mood, no matter where you are, is endless. That is the kind of convenience that only a mobile app can provide.